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The political climate has brought back to the surface open prejudice, bias and discrimination. These are challenges that, in the best of times, have been a part of the lives of the LGBTQ+ members of our community. But all young people are experiencing greater anxiety about social barriers. That’s where the Ann Arbor-based Neutral Zone focuses its work. Executive director Lori Roddy joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about the work to get around, over and through those hurdles.

Ann Arbor is looking at something "blue" to expand its protection of drinking and other water sources. The new Bluebelt program will work in concert with the Greenbelt land preservation program to expand water protections. WEMU's David Fair was joined by City of Ann Arbor Land Acquisition Specialist, Rosie Pahl Donaldson, to discuss the goals of the program.

At Eastern Michigan University, the Speech and Hearing Clinic has been quietly transforming lives in Ypsilanti and beyond. The clinic is housed in the College of Education and helps everyone from young children learning their first words to adults recovering from strokes. Lee Van Roth discussed the clinic's work with its co-director, Karen Parish-Foster, and with EMU graduate student Mollie Spencer.

Ypsilanti Community High School has officially been authorized as an international baccalaureate career-related program school. It's a milestone that expands college credit opportunities, hands-on learning and career pathways for students. This designation is also a key step in the district's broader magnet school vision aimed at preparing scholars for life success. Lee Van Roth talked all about it with YCS director of special projects and magnet schools, Turquoise Neal.

Fall has arrived, and the transition towards Michigan’s colder months is underway. Many property owners are already looking ahead and designing spring plans for the lawn. That would include Saline resident Edith Anderson. Edith goes beyond modern landscape design and is “Rebuilding Nature: Yard by Yard.” That’s the title of her recently published book. Edith joined WEMU's David Fair to share why more homeowners are trading sterile lawns for living landscapes that welcome back the birds, bees and butterflies.

Ypsilanti-based Growing Hope imagines a future where everyone has the power to shape their own food system, and no one has to go hungry. Call it “food sovereignty.” In a year when food insecurity is increasing, the Growing Hope family continues to work to empower people and communities. WEMU's David Fair talked with executive director Julius Buzzard about this year and what comes in the New Year to create pathways from soil and dirt to health and wealth.

A lot of folks are about to hit the road or the airports with Christmas right around the corner. Gregory Keoleian is the director of the U-M's Center for Sustainable Systems. He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about how best to minimize our carbon footprint and still get to where we want to go.

For half a century, the Ypsilanti-based Student Advocacy Center of Michigan (SAC) has made it its mission to help students facing disciplinary issues get back on track with their education. Lee Van Roth was joined by the center's co-executive director, Peri Stone-Palmquist, to talk about the SAC's legacy and what new programs will be introduced in the near future.

Christmas is only a week away, so now is a good time as any catch a great holiday flick! WEMU's David Fair chats with Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink about the latest batch of special holiday screenings and some new films as well.

Alpha House East is now open and providing shelter to the unhoused. The majority are Black women who are heads of households. WEMU's David Fair talked with Shonagh Taruza, the executive director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House, about housing insecurity, homelessness and the systems that make it difficult to improve the situation.